Russia sees talks with US as an opening to rebuild its spy networks, officials say
CNN
Russia is eyeing talks with the Trump administration about re-establishing a significant diplomatic presence in the US as an opening to rebuild its spy network in the West, current and former US officials say.
Russia is eyeing talks with the Trump administration about re-establishing a significant diplomatic presence in the US as an opening to rebuild its spy network in the West, current and former US officials say. The US and Russia agreed to begin talks on restoring the regular operations of their respective embassies and consulates following a call between President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin and a subsequent high-level meeting in Riyadh earlier this month. On Thursday, US and Russian delegations met in Turkey to discuss more granular details like staffing levels, visas, diplomatic banking, and other operational issues. The US State Department said the two countries had “constructive” talks and agreed to follow up on their discussions at another meeting “in the near term.” Though Secretary of State Marco Rubio has highlighted the importance of restoring regular diplomatic services and communications, current and former US and Western officials say the talks also represent a significant concession to Moscow, which is eager to reinstall intelligence operatives under diplomatic cover at its embassies and consulates in Washington, New York, and Houston. Russia’s espionage capabilities have been significantly eroded over the last decade as the US and Europe routinely expelled Russian spies operating out of embassies under diplomatic cover, particularly as tensions escalated following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The issue is such a priority, two US officials said, that the Russians are refraining from putting another high-level meeting on the books until substantial progress is made on restoring Russia’s presence in the US.
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